Maine panel opposes LePage effort to eliminate income tax

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A legislative committee has rejected Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to eliminate Maine’s income tax.

The committee voted 7-5 on Wednesday against the proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the state from collecting the income tax beginning in 2020.

The proposal will now be considered by the full Legislature. It requires two-thirds support of lawmakers in both chambers and voter approval.

It’s expected to result in a roughly $1.7 billion annual loss in general fund revenue.

LePage says that eliminating the income tax will help grow the economy by putting more money in people’s pockets.

But LePage hasn’t said which programs should be cut to pay for the proposal. Democrats say the proposal is “reckless” and would force the state to slash funds for things like education.